In short: A professional or co-living HMO refurbishment creates a higher-specification shared home: ensuite bedrooms, well-designed shared kitchens and lounges, good sound insulation, and finishes aimed at working tenants. Across Kent, the work is planned around England’s HMO rules and the standards the local council publishes.
- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South East
- Postcode areas
- TN, CT, ME, DA
- Main towns
- Saint Peters, Maidstone, Gillingham, Chatham, Royal Tunbridge Wells
What do professional and co-living HMO refurbs in Kent involve?
- Smart heating and lighting controls
- Sound insulation between rooms
- Ensuite to every room where space allows
- High-quality fire doors and finishes
- Interior design and furnishing coordination
- Kitchenettes in rooms where the layout allows
Which rules apply in Kent?
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
- Licensed HMOs must meet national minimum bedroom sizes: 6.51 m² for one person aged 10 or over, 10.22 m² for two, and 4.64 m² for a child under 10.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
- Where the building regulations apply to a conversion, Part E sound requirements can apply between rooms and floors.
Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.
How much do professional and co-living HMO refurbs cost in Kent?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full refurbishment per letting room, with a share of communal areas (excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £4,000 – £9,000 | £4,500 – £10,100 | letting room |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £4,500 – £11,200 | ensuite |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,950 – £20,150 | kitchen |
| Acoustic upgrade to a party or partition wall | £900 – £2,000 | £1,000 – £2,250 | wall |
Typical time on site: 8–16 weeks. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Professional and co-living HMO refurbs by town in Kent
- Saint Peters
- Maidstone
- Gillingham
- Chatham
- Royal Tunbridge Wells
- Folkestone
- Margate
- Ashford (Kent)
- Canterbury
- Sittingbourne
- Gravesend
- Dartford
- Ramsgate
- Dover
- Tonbridge
- Strood
- Whitstable
- Deal
- Sevenoaks
- Rochester
- Herne Bay
- Broadstairs
- Faversham
- Swanley
Questions about professional and co-living HMO refurbs in Kent
Do you do the interior design?
We coordinate finishes and fittings with you, and can work with your interior designer or furnishing supplier.
Can every room have an ensuite?
Only where the room is still big enough after the ensuite is taken out and drainage can be reached. We check both before designing.
Do you carry out professional and co-living HMO refurbs across Kent?
Yes, across the whole of Kent, including Saint Peters, Maidstone, Gillingham.
Who licenses HMOs in Kent?
HMOs in Kent are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.